Packers Vs. Saints - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I try to focus on the less obvious or things I didn't notice watching live. W
We all love to complain about Joe Barry's approach with his defensive schemes, especially with the defensive backs, so I decided to focus on that aspect of the game in a contest where the defense did their job,holding an opponent to 10 points. I'm no defensive coordinator, but there are some things I see here that just seem like common sense.
Bad Soft Coverage - This here, is what I call the "Joe Barry Special," although it's not really a special because it's always on the menu. It's a second and six and we start out with Ballantine at the first down marker and Nixon two yards behind. As the ball is snapped, both retreat another five yards behind the first down stick. This is just a simple little, "we invite you to please take this free first down, our treat." The Packers are blitzing Savage from that side, so maybe they want to play it a little safe, but there is a linebacker, two DBs and a deep safety (off-screen) to handle two receivers. And even if there weren't, is there a reason to have to be five yards off the receiver?
Good Soft Coverage - Now here we have a more intelligent approach. It's a 3rd and nine, and note where the DBs are lined up. Rasul is the farthest off the line of scrimmage at six yards, but never retreats beyond the first down marker and is quick to close on the receiver, as is Nixon. This is drawing your line in the sand in front of the first down marker, instead of five yards behind.
Press Coverage - Seen in the wild, here we have the rare Joe Barry man coverage blitz. Barry channels Steve Spagnuolo on this play. getting uber-aggressive on a crucial third down by bringing six rushers and playing press man coverage on the receivers. So many things here he does not like to do, but never say never!
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (22)
fireball
September 26, 2023 at 03:14 pm
Wow. I like the bad soft coverage and good soft coverage examples.
GregC
September 26, 2023 at 03:18 pm
The first play is not such a mystery. We've got a practice squad player, Corey Ballantine, lined up one-on-one against a talented WR who is a deep threat. Whether or not Joe Barry told Ballantine to play soft, Ballantine was wise to do so in that situation rather than risk getting burned deep. Maybe decisions like this are one reason they only allowed 10 points.
Vachio
September 26, 2023 at 03:34 pm
Yeah, but we see examples of this EVERY...SINGLE...GAME. He could have a prime Sanders and Revis as his corners and he'd still have them playing off. It's just fundamentally bad. I was taught that's a cardinal sin...you never, ever line up past the sticks on 3rd down unless you're playing prevent.
PeteK
September 26, 2023 at 05:50 pm
A quick, good tackling CB can draw a throw short of a long first down attempt by backpedaling.
Vachio
September 26, 2023 at 06:39 pm
Exactly! You don't need to spot them 5-7 yards. And all of our corners are capable of doing that very thing.
Coldworld
September 26, 2023 at 03:36 pm
I think Al is using these as examples of Barry’s tendencies beyond these specific plays or that game.
It’s interesting you bring this up, because one of my takeaways from that game was the difference in how they used Yiadom, a STer as well, compared to how we did and the difference in results. Yiadom still isn’t a great corner, but he looked a ton more effective and was as they played him as opposed to how we did or how Ballentine was being used here. Something to think on.
JerseyAl
September 26, 2023 at 03:42 pm
Yes, although later in the fourth quarter, they let Ballentine man up on Olave. Olave made some catches but Ballentine was right there with Olave every time - just some really good plays by a very good receiver.
JerseyAl
September 26, 2023 at 03:38 pm
You kind of missed the point, which is HOW MUCH of a cushion is really necessary. Still, I might buy your point except for the fact that for much of the fourth quarter, they trusted Ballentine to man up on Olave.
Bitternotsour
September 26, 2023 at 07:18 pm
scoreboard.
GregC
September 26, 2023 at 09:08 pm
You make a valid point. I think I was just a little exasperated to see another Barry hate thread in the making after such a good defensive effort.
jannesbjornson
September 26, 2023 at 09:07 pm
Why would a CB back off? His best technique is to press the guy and have the safety on the top of the lid. Make the Wr earn the catch. Giving away leverage is self-defeating.
splitpea1
September 26, 2023 at 03:23 pm
Plays 2 and 3 occurred on third down in the fourth quarter, so maybe Barry knows his back is up against a wall and needs to get a stop in order to have a chance to win. On Play 1, maybe he fears Olave more than Thomas, or would rather play it safe on second down. Who knows, it's tough to figure his logic sometimes.
Vachio
September 26, 2023 at 03:39 pm
That's what makes it so frustrating. We know he's capable of doing these things that work and work well. And yet, so often, he just...doesn't. He reminds me of my friends who could never stay away from toxic relationships.
Bro, she cheated on you the last two times you dated, she'll do it again if you get back with her. But she says she's changed! <she cheated on him again>
Bro, you line up your DBs past the sticks, you're going to give up easy first downs. But we'll close the distance and stop them this time! <other team picks up an easy first down>
Bitternotsour
September 26, 2023 at 07:28 pm
or, maybe it makes sense to mix up your coverages? especially with a proven receiver against a practice squad guy who should really only be getting special teams snaps?
i think most people here were screaming for Olave to the Packers, now that he's shown some respect (in coverage) you want to unload on Barry who is working with one hand tied behind his back because of injuries.
croatpackfan
September 26, 2023 at 04:35 pm
What is interesting - NFL Power ranking (what is just for entertaining) have Lions at 7th best and Packers as 10th best team in incoming 4th week. Imagine!
greengold
September 26, 2023 at 04:50 pm
"Seen in the wild," is so on brand!
Al, that totally cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh!
They are a hard pressed group at the moment... maybe a bad word choice there, but, without Jaire, Valentine & Stokes, and Rudy going through some things, they're gonna go through some things.
Not making excuses, because with a full complement of players we've seen too much of the soft coverage.
Hoping for a healthy return of Jaire Thursday, and hopefully Valentine, who thankfully didn’t tear his bicep.
LambeauPlain
September 26, 2023 at 07:12 pm
Need Alexander the Great to be on St. Brown. And Valentine to add additional heft to more man coverage.
LambeauPlain
September 26, 2023 at 07:10 pm
It seems to me Barry is more concerned with scheme to try to limit his opponents strengths vs using the specific talents of his players to attack the O strengths.
They dictate to him more than he forces them to react to his defense.
Al provided video evidence the D men can attack, disrupt and win plays. I have no problems with the talent on the defense. It is how Barry deploys them in crucial game situations that is frustrating.
Bitternotsour
September 26, 2023 at 07:23 pm
ten points. the defense gave up ten points. none in the second half. this is a bad game to use to criticize barry. stand down for a week.
not only did the defense give up only ten, they did it with practice squad players at corner.
pick your spots people.
cdoemel
September 26, 2023 at 07:32 pm
Hahahaha. That’s way to reasonable for a comments post!
Since'61
September 26, 2023 at 07:44 pm
Good job AL! Great examples. Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
September 26, 2023 at 08:04 pm
What would we do without you Al? Nice work. Helps keep me sane, simply by letting me know that I'm not the only one that sees some of this stuff